I saw They Live the day it opened at a suburban Atlanta theater. I was the only one in the theater. I thought - oh oh, Carpenter has lost his audience. He didn't lose me, but I was shocked I was the only person there. Anyway, I loved They Live. This wild concept of wearing RayBans and seeing subliminal messages underneath current media. An idea that resonates to this day. Plus, Roddy Piper was actually likable and good in the lead role. But no one would see it. Luckily, the film found an audience and has become a cult classic. Cinemondo will do a cult episode or two in the future. I have definite ideas what and what does not make a cult film. They Live, I guess, qualifies because it has a message that really sticks with ya. Plus it has a fight scene between Roddy and Keith David that goes on longer than the average Looney Tunes episode. Plus it's John Carpenter - it can not be ignored.

Happy Death Day takes that Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow concept and makes it fun - even though the main character ends up dying in violent ways over and over again. The film works because it doesn't take itself too seriously and Jessica Rothe, who plays "Tree", the snotty sorority girl who becomes a nicer person as she experiences each death, is completely great in the lead role. You buy her the whole way. The movie, imho, could have been a bit gorier and nastier, but then realized it was a PG-13 flick, so it couldn't have gone farther. If they went for an "R" and amped up the gore, I think it would have been even more effective, but that's the business choice they made. Anyway, it's a fun flick either way and we here at Cinemondo believe in FUN! More fun comes your way if you listen to our podcasts. We are fun personified - that goes double for Darwin!! be good y'all - Mark